Rugged Jumbo Switches for DOT Traffic Network Hubs
Situation
A large western state Department of Transportation (DOT)
wanted to build out six new Hub sites to transport services
over its highway communications networks. Specifically, it
planned to connect Serial and Ethernet Signaling/Control
devices, IP cameras and maintenance telephones back to
the Central Office.
It was currently using
standard Ethernet copper
switches for many of
its hub links, but they
wanted to modernize
their network for future
expansion and explore
options that didn’t
require media converters.
In particular, they wanted
to take a closer look at
ruggedized Ethernet switches with more modularity and
scalability. Modularity and scalability was an important
issue because they anticipated adding more IP services
including IP Video, Traffic Control & Signaling and IP
Telephony.
Solution
The DOT chose the JumboSwitch Industrial Gigabit
Ethernet Modular Switch from TC Communications
because it offered modularity, expandability and telephony
on a single industrial grade Ethernet/IP platform. The
JumboSwitches will form a backbone for the new Hub sites
and also communicate to existing Layer 2 Ethernet switches
at the Traffic Management Center.
Several vendor Ethernet Switches offered many pieces of
this network convergence, but most came up short when
it came to voice and/or modular interface card flexibility.
Only the JumboSwitch from TC Communications gave
the DOT all of the interfaces, including voice, they were
looking for in one Ethernet/IP chassis.
The JumboSwitch offered modular interface cards with
four chassis options, 12 different interfaces (including up
to 42 Ethernet Switch ports) with up to 7 card slots for
expansion, and a VoIP virtual PBX card for a complete
telephony solution.
The JumboSwitch even added extra benefits such as
hot-swappable and self-configuring interface cards.
JumboSwitch interface cards can be replaced during
operation (hot-swappable) and all configuration
parameters for Ethernet cards are automatically
downloaded to prevent re-configuration errors and
minimize service outage.
The DOT opted for three 4U JumboSwitch units with four
6-port Ethernet Cards and one VoIP card (see diagram
below). Three cards connected to 18 different Intelligent
Transportation System (ITS) devices and one card provided
three 1000BGase-LX links to ITS cabinets with IP Video
Encoders and RS232 Traffic Controllers.